How to get organized
• Come up with a plan, writing down everything that needs to be done, no matter how small. Work room by room for a sense of satisfaction and completion, and to avoid unfinished jobs that never get done. Pick jobs according to the time you have available. For instance, if you only have 10 minutes, clean the bathroom taps.
• Always work from the top down, inside to outside, in order to avoid getting what you just cleaned dirty again.
• Clear clutter and organize rooms as you go along. For instance, don't just throw all your clothes back in your closet after you clean it. Label items you don't wear anymore and set them aside for charity. Be sure to deliver them to the appropriate charity immediately, instead of having them lie around the house for months.
• When tidying up, reduce trips around the house by temporarily depositing items in one spot en route to, but not at, their final destination. Bring a basket from room to room to collect items that don't belong.
• Do two things at once. While you get the laundry going, scrub the shower stall.
• Buy assorted containers and get the kids involved in organizing items, such as small toys or puzzle pieces, in their rooms.
• Dust before vacuuming or cleaning the floor. Try feather or lamb's wool dusters, especially extendable ones for reaching above window and door casings and into corners. Household rags are invaluable for jobs requiring a damp cloth – natural fibres work best.
• To clean hardwood floors, first use a dusting mop, a broom or vacuum attachment. Then use a damp-mop with a mild cleaner to finish the job. Consider using the nontoxic water-based cleaners that are now available to ensure your home is kept as a healthy environment.
Page 1 of 2 -- From your bedroom, living room to kitchen, find helpful room-by-room cleaning tips on page 2
